The latest news from China had me breathe a huge sigh of relief I live in the greatest country in the world.

Now, don't think I need any additional motivation to exercise more. My latest doctor's visit Tuesday was proof of that. After figuring out why my eyes were redder than a Razorbacks game jersey (due to an eye infection; guess I had nothing better to do), then trying to explain my arm bruises from a fall down half the stairs last month (next time, the dog can escape out the back door if she wants), Doc gave me an earful about my cholesterol count, lack of exercise and whatever else was on his mind since I visited him last -October 2005, I think it was.

What can I say? I'm like my grandfather. If I'm nearly unable to walk, talk, function or put out a newspaper, it's time to hit the office for a visit. At least, he didn't make it mandatory I take up dancing.

Dance classes soon will be mandatory for Chinese elementary and secondary students because of worries about increased obesity, The Associated Press reported Tuesday.

The China Daily said in a front-page story the dance classes - "to suit the physical and psychological characteristics of students at all ages" - will become compulsory from Sept. 1, quoting a notice from the Education Ministry.

It said the dances will be performed during class breaks or during extracurricular time.

The newspaper cited recent reports that said heavy loads of schoolwork had cut into the amount of physical activity student perform and that "obesity has been on the rise."

Last month, the official Xinhua News Agency reported besides good grades students also would have to prove their physical fitness to earn a place in a Chinese university under a ministry proposal.

I only shudder to think if they bring back disco.

Now, talking about exercise and whether or not I need a new warranty on my body, here's one extracurricular activity I won't be taking up: archery.

A man celebrating his birthday with a bow and arrow in his apartment was charged with reckless endangerment after an errant shot shattered a window across the street, the district attorney's office said.

Two other arrows hit scaffolding on another building in the affluent East Side neighborhood when Noel Luria, 39, was shooting from his apartment into a target block mounted on his windowsill, police said. No one was injured.

"My intention was not to pick off somebody," he said. "My intentions were to have a good time. I'm turning 40. It's an elegant instrument."

Luria was also charged with criminal mischief and criminal possession of a weapon. A crossbow, a compound bow and 49 arrows were confiscated from Luria's apartment, according to the police complaint.

Until next time, I'm going to turn 39 later this summer, but I plan on doing it a little safer, hopefully not involving law enforcement. And, my idea of an elegant instrument is a saxophone.